Bestselling author Stephen King was in serious but stable condition yesterday after emergency surgery for injuries after being struck by a van near his home in Maine on Saturday afternoon, hospital officials said.
A spokesman at Central Maine Hospital said King's injuries would likely require additional surgery later in the week. Despite extensive physical trauma, including several broken bones, "his spirits seem good," said spokesman Mr Laird Covey, who said the author joked with family and hospital staff after the surgery. His wife, Tabitha, his children and other relatives were by his side.
The 51-year-old writer was walking along the shoulder of a road near his Lovell, Maine, home on Saturday afternoon when he was hit by a mini-van. The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle after being distracted by a dog inside, according to reports. Police said speed was not a factor and that the driver probably would not be charged with a crime, according to CNN television.
Officials said King - who was transported by helicopter to the hospital's trauma centre late on Saturday - went into surgery at 10:30 p.m. local time and emerged about five hours later.
Officials at the Central Maine Medical Center said in a statement that the author's injuries "are largely orthopaedic in nature," and were not considered life-threatening.
Officials said King was expected to remain in the hospital for several days. King's family has requested that additional details of his injuries not be released.
The author has written some two dozen novels including the horror classics Carrie, The Shining, and Pet Cemetery. His writings have been translated into 33 languages and several of his books have been made into Hollywood films.